The Island Of Endless Play - Poem by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Said Willie to Tom 'Let us hie awayTo the wonderful Island of Endless Play.

It lies off the border of 'No School Land'And abounds with pleasures, I understand.

There boys go swimming whenever they pleaseIn a lovely river right under the trees.

And marbles are free, no one has to buy;And kites of all sizes are ready to fly.

We sail down the Isthmus of Idle Delight,We sail and we sail for a day and a night.

And then if favored by billows and breezeWe land in the harbor of Do-as-you-please.

And their lies the Island of Endless PlayWith no one to say to us Must or Nay.

Books are not known in that land so fair,Teachers are stoned if they set foot there.

Hurrah for the Island so glad and free,That is the country for you and me.'

So away went Willie and Tom togetherOn a pleasure boat, in the lazy weather,And they sailed in the teeth of a friendly breezeRight into the harbor of 'Do-as-you-please!'Where boats and tackle and marbles and kitesWere waiting them there in this Land of Delights.They dwelt on the Island of Endless PlayFor five long years; then one sad dayA strange dark ship sailed up to the strand,And 'Ho! for the voyage to Stupid Land.'

The Captain cried with a terrible noiseAs he seized the frightened and struggling boys,And threw them into the dark Ship's hold,And off and away sailed the Captain bold.

They vainly begged him to let them out,He answered only with scoff and shout.

'Boys that don't study or work,' said he,'Must sail one day down the Ignorant Sea

To Stupid Land by the No-Book strait,With Captain Time on the Pitiless Fate.'

Then he let out the sails and away went the three,Over the waters of Ignorant Sea.

Out and away to Stupid Land,And they live there yet, I understand.And there's where every one goes, they say,Who seeks the Island of Endless Play.